Sorry to get political - but some reasons to NOT change the board in the upcoming elections - Eels Blogs

I'm not one to usually want to grandstand or jump on a high horse of opinion, but I'll let the words of one of the people running for election speak for themselves and I'll allow YOU the One Eyed Eel readers to make up your own minds.

I'll include the web links for you to look at and I'll cut and paste the appropriate comments for highlighting -

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/rugby-codes-should-merge-fitzy/story-e6frep86-1111116681832

This is an interview with Denis Fitzgerald from 2008

The telling part of this interview is this -

Q (Dean Ritchie) : Are the Eels safe?

A (Denis Fitzgerald) : I can't guarantee they will be in existence in five years time.

http://workers.labor.net.au/33/b_sportspage_greg.html

(this article talks about clubs merging, going back to 1999)

The "other clubs" are Newcastle and Parramatta and while Newcastle Chairman Michael Hill met with the administrators he told the Big Sports Breakfast that the ground (Marathon stadium), colours and name of the Knights are not negotiable

Parramatta Leagues boss Denis Fitzgerald has never hidden the fact that that he would support a merger, remains open to more debate

Two major issues here when considering who to vote for.

1) Someone who went on public record of saying he could not guarantee there would be a Parramaata Eels . So in 2008 he said that in five years time 2013, he didn't think there would be a financial Parramatta Eels.

2) This is someone who was in FAVOUR of our club losing it's identity in a merger.

DO WE WANT SOMEONE LIKE THIS TO RETURN TO POWER IN OUR CLUB?

I'll leave it open for discussion

"Some players need to get sacked from a club and risk losing it all before they really knuckle down and put in the work. Why did he get sacked, was it lack of discipline for footy and training or off field issues?"

"I love Twidle, you can just tell he is not a robotic NRL player, he plays with instincts. Not saying he is Munster, but Munster plays the same. Apa gets the ball, looks to see what is infront of him and says "Let's try this". That can be dangerous…"

Replies

Slippery. May 3, 2015 at 12:04am

Without saying it, but are we safe now? We seem to send home games to whoever and wherever is willing to pay the most money, that's the way it seems anyway.
Bateau Bay Eel May 3, 2015 at 12:11am

I agree slippery & when we do go these other so called home games, do we still get the rub of the green that all home teams get? If someone out there can get there hands on the stats in regards to more penalties that the home team gets I'd love to see it!
Turpy May 3, 2015 at 12:23am

DK, these comments are irrelevant.

Can you guarantee Parra won't be in the exact same position in 5 yrs?

Fitzy was a great Chairman of this club and no disrespect should be paid to his service.

He guided us through good and bad and only halfwits voted 3P in to power.

That being said, Fitzy's time is over.
- Dorki wizard > Turpy May 3, 2015 at 12:31am
  
  Turpy I don't think Fitzy was ever a chairman or if he was it was for a very short period of time...
- Dorki wizard > Turpy May 3, 2015 at 7:07am
  
  No doubt, it was a stupid comment and it was done to represent the industry more than the club but he clearly outlived his stay and a change of direction had to happen.. In saying that, Alan Overton was a great chairman and didn't deserve to go the way he did
- Dorki wizard > Turpy May 3, 2015 at 8:40am
  
  Yes Fong I see the irony in everything you say and to add, the one bloke I was always skeptical about at the last election was Lawrence Shepherd, why the hell did Steve, Tom and Co involve themselves with a shady individual like him? He is Fitzy's mate who lost the LC pokies contract whilst 3P were running the joint... His motive was nothing more than revenge.
- DK Eel > Turpy May 3, 2015 at 9:45pm
  
  Hey Turpy,
  
  it's not so much that they won;t be in the same position, I think any club that wants to stay the same is doomed to go backwards, but Fitzgerald said that he couldn't guarantee there would even BE a Parramatta. Which was the problem.
  
  He said exactly that on a number of occasions, this one just happened to be one I could find within the first few pages of a Google search !!!
  
  I was offended that he didn't feel that he should be fighting to keep Parra as an entity.
  
  This sort of thinking should never be allowed to creep back in.
  
  The current board gave such a brilliant vision for a revitalised and modern Parramatta, something that Fitzgerald never gave (other than selling off more assets and bringing in more pokies!!)
  
  anyhoo, love the discussions!!!
Jimmy May 3, 2015 at 4:32am

As Fong said it was a political comment made in the heat of the pokie tax debate but it scared the bejesus out of Eels fans. IMO it was a stupid comment that was not taken seriously by the government at the time but Fitzy will be haunted by it for the term of his life.
Clive May 3, 2015 at 8:37am

Fong you have said on here numerous times that you think Sharp and CO have done a good job so why not just get behind them and leave the praise for Fitzy out of it? I agree that Dennis spent along time at the club and gave a lot of good service but it is obvious here that this time his attempt to get on the board is motivated by revenge and ego. On that basis alone he doesn't deserve our admiration and respect.

Sadly there are probably voters that are undecided and the combination of you going into bat for Fitzy and Hadllee's rubbish on radio may sway them to vote for Dennis's cronies. Maybe it is time to pick a side and stop sitting on the fence mate.
Nutcracker May 3, 2015 at 8:55am

I see your point Frankie. My issue with Riddell is his carry-on over twitter and his acting like a dill. I don't want that kind of behaviour.

As to the people who can't run. I dunno - looks clear to me. Smith was getting paid by the club, that's not allowed. Even the Club has said it wasn't much - but their hands are tied. Pricey doesn't have a paid membership, that's not allowed. Denis got sacked, that's not allowed. I know you disagree about Denis being sacked but his lack of action speaks volumes to me on that one. We have to agree to disagree on that. Cheers mate.